Bhubaneswar: Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off Gopinathpur Nilgiri – Balasore new MEMU train service and dedicated to the nation the new Balasore-Gopinathpur Nilgiri passenger line at a colourful function held at Gopinathpur Nilgiri Railway Station on Saturday.
The Railway Minister congratulated the local people of Gopinathpur Nilgiri for getting the first ever passenger train connectivity up to Balasore.
He said that, with a view to extend the Railway Network in the state of Odisha, Indian Railways has fulfilled the commitment of New station Building, New Passenger Line and New MEMU Service for the area. Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Nilgiri MLA Sukanta Kumar Nayak were present at the inaugural function held at Gopinathpur Nilgiri.
Three pairs of MEMU trains will run over this route daily. The regular run of the MEMU trains will commence from January 14 and all MEMU trains will stop at Sutei Badagan station enroute.
Later, at a function held at Betnoti station, Vaishnaw laid the foundation stone for Subway at Betnoti station. The Subway will be constructed as a part of providing more passenger amenities. It will ensure smooth entry and exit of passengers and free movement of local people. He has also inaugurated the New PRS Counter at Betnoti Station. The newly opened PRS Counter will provide convenient and time saving ticket booking facility for the local residents.
Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs, Bishweswar Tudu, Pratap Chandra Sarangi, MP and Sanatan Bijuli, MLA were present during the function held at Betnoti.
Anil Kumar Mishra, General Manager, South Eastern Railway welcomed the Railway Minister and other guests at both the functions held at Gopinathpur Nilgiri and Betnoti. K R Chaudhary, Divisional Railway Manager, Kharagpur and other Principal officers of South Eastern Railway were also present at the functions.
